Loss is something every single one of us will face in life—there’s no avoiding it. Whether it’s the passing of a friend, a parent, a spouse, or a sibling, grief touches us all.
Recently, I received an email from a fellow angler and believer that brought this truth into sharp focus, and I felt compelled to share both his message and my response in hopes that it might help others walking a similar path.
A Heartfelt Letter About Coping With Loss
Here’s the email I received:
Dear Mr. Lindner,
I’ve always loved your shows and advice and your gospel lending. I’m an avid North Country fisherman and a faithful Christian. I’m seeking your advice on how to deal with the death of my best friend of 48 years—my best fishing partner.
He died suddenly of a heart attack a few days ago, and I’m devastated.
We had so many trips already booked for this year, and I have no desire to fish without him because everything else will be a reminder. I know to trust God’s decisions in life, but this has me questioning—why him? He was more healthy than me.
He had no sign of heart trouble whatsoever.
Any advice you can help me with as far as coping with this would be truly appreciated.
What a powerful message.
Personal Reflections on Loss
I can relate. My mother passed away early in life, and my father followed 20 years later. More recently, my brother—my best friend and closest partner in life—went home to be with the Lord. Just a year after that, my wife passed away, and shortly thereafter, my nephew Michael followed.
Each one of them, in their own way, was ready to go home. Some were dealing with illness and suffering. I’ll never forget what my wife said just ten days before she passed. She looked at me and said, “Honey, I can’t do this any longer. I want to go home to be with Jesus. I don’t want to die in this hospital—I want to go to my bed in my house. Get me out of here.”
My brother knew. Michael knew. My dad knew. And when someone is ready, there’s a peace that comes over them—and over us—that is hard to explain. It’s what Scripture describes as “the peace that surpasses all understanding.”
Faith, Healing, and Time
There’s comfort in knowing that if you’re a believer, as I am, you’ll be reunited with your loved ones again in paradise. They’re in heaven, in a place with no pain, no sickness, and no sorrow. That knowledge doesn’t erase the pain, but it eases it.
And then there’s time. God heals us through time. It doesn’t happen all at once, but little by little, the sharp edges of grief are softened. It doesn’t make it easy, but it makes it bearable.
When my wife passed, God spoke to my heart and said, “It’s time, Al. I’m coming to get her, and you have to let her go.” That message wasn’t just for her—it was for me. I had to let her go. For my own good. To move forward and live the life that’s still in me. And I believe she would want the same.
Moving Forward with Hope
This isn’t an easy message. But it’s real. Each of us will face moments like this, and in those times, we have to let go and trust in God’s plan. Our loved ones would want us to continue living, to find joy again, and to honor their memory by living life fully.
So to the man who wrote me—and to anyone else experiencing the pain of deep loss—know that you are not alone. Lean on your faith, allow time to do its healing work, and hold onto the promise of reunion in eternity.
From all of us here at The Edge, we wish you peace, healing, and a meaningful fishing season.
God bless—and we’ll see you on the water.
